CLIPPERS PREVIEW: L.A. looking for 18th straight victory

The Clippers hope to carry their success into the new year as they attempt to extend their franchise-record winning streak against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on Tuesday. Los Angeles wrapped up the third 16-0 month in NBA history Sunday with a 107-96 victory in the back end of a home-and-home series with the Utah Jazz. It was the 17 th consecutive triumph for the Clippers, who have not lost since dropping a 105-98 home decision to the New Orleans Hornets on Nov. 26. | PHOTOS

Los Angeles figures to have its hands full with Denver, which is 9-1 at home and has won seven in a row at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets, who are kicking off a three-game homestand, have won three of five overall but are coming off an 81-72 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. The Clippers were victorious in their first meeting of the season with Denver, posting a 112-100 home win last Tuesday for their 14 th straight triumph.

TV: 6 p.m. PT, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), NBA TV, Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (25-6): Los Angeles is looking to make Denver the fourth team it has defeated at least twice during its streak. The Clippers have beaten Utah three times while topping the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns on two occasions. In addition to its overall winning streak, Los Angeles has captured a franchise-record seven straight road games. Forward Caron Butler set a franchise mark by going 6-for-6 from 3-point range on Sunday. The previous record of 5-for-5 was accomplished three times, most recently by Corey Maggette on Feb. 8, 2008. Butler had made seven consecutive 3-point attempts over the last five quarters, leaving him three shy of the Clippers' record of 10 straight held by Quentin Richardson.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (17-15): Denver has posted a 13-3 record when keeping its opponents under 100 points and 6-2 when allowing less than 90. The Nuggets have played 22 of their first 32 games on the road, including 10 of 15 in December. Coach George Karl is looking forward to January as his team plays 12 of its 15 contests at home during the month. "We need to get excited about January," he said. "This has been whatever word you want to use - treacherous, difficult, fatiguing - but we're done and we have a great month of January (upcoming)." Forward Danilo Gallinari finished with only seven points against Memphis on Saturday after scoring a career-high 39 in a win at Dallas the previous night.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Clippers joined the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers and 1995-96 San Antonio Spurs as the only teams to go 16-0 in a single month.

2. Denver is 57-19 against the Clippers at home but has lost the last two meetings in the Mile High City.

3. Los Angeles' winning streak is the longest in the NBA since the Boston Celtics captured 19 in a row during the 2008-09 season.